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Trade Liberalization, Quality, and Export Prices

Author

Listed:
  • Haichao Fan

    (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics)

  • Yao Amber Li

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Stephen R. Yeaple

    (Pennsylvania State University, NBER, and Ifo Institute)

Abstract

This paper presents theory and evidence from disaggregated Chinese data that tariff reductions induce a country’s producers to upgrade the quality of their exports. We first document stylized facts regarding the effect of trade liberalization on export prices. Next, we develop an analytic framework that relates a firm’s choice of quality to its access to imported intermediates. In the model, a reduction in import tariffs induces a firm to increase export quality and raise its export price in industries where the scope for quality differentiation is large and lower its export price in industries where the scope is small. The predictions are consistent with the stylized facts and are highly robust econometrically.

Suggested Citation

  • Haichao Fan & Yao Amber Li & Stephen R. Yeaple, 2015. "Trade Liberalization, Quality, and Export Prices," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 97(5), pages 1033-1051, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:97:y:2015:i:5:p:1033-1051
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    trade liberalization; tariff; quality upgrading; export price; quality differentiation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

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